Psalm 66:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.

NIV: vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.

NASB: Which my lips uttered And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.

CSB: that my lips promised and my mouth spoke during my distress.

NLT: yes, the sacred vows that I made when I was in deep trouble.

KJV: Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.

NKJV: Which my lips have uttered And my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble.

Scripture doesn't tell us exactly who recorded this psalm. Nor do we know the nature of this psalmist's "trouble." He has already declared his intention to make an offering to the Lord while also fulfilling his vows (Psalm 66:13). Here, it seems that those vows were made when the psalmist was under some threat or other stress. Rather than shrugging off his vows as insincere, the writer intends to honor his commitments to the Lord.

Scripture doesn't forbid making vows, but it discourages vows from being made casually (Numbers 30:2; Proverbs 20:25). A promise made to God should always be kept (Deuteronomy 23:21–23). Failure to honor promises to God is tantamount to lying to Him. Jesus advocated against making spontaneous vows at all (Matthew 5:33–37).

Psalm 66:13–20 addresses God, then the congregation. This comes after calling upon the nations to worship God because of His marvelous deeds on behalf of Israel. The psalmist wants to tell the assembled people that God heard his prayer and answered it. He concludes this section by praising God for answering prayer and extending His loyal love.

This psalm appeals to the entire world to worship the Lord. His great works, such as giving Israel safe passage through the Red Sea, should be praised. Because God watches the world, no one should presume they can rebel without consequences. God tested Israel heavily but brought the nation to an abundant place. The psalmist declares that he will fulfill his vows and offer sacrifices, because God answered his prayer. Verses 1–9 speak to the nations of earth; verses 10–15 are spoken to God; verses 16–20 are addressed to the congregation.

This is a psalm of thanksgiving, but the occasion that prompted it is unknown. It may have been written after the Lord defeated the Assyrians (Isaiah 36—37). Another possibility is that it was recorded following the return from Babylonian captivity (Ezra 1:2–3).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 5/8/2024 1:22:22 PM